In Cardiovascular Devices, Who's Next?

Whereas much of the activity in cardiovascular M&A in the past seems to have come from a euphoric sense of the promise of cardiovascular medicine, the more recent moves have an air of frustrated hopes. The two large deals announced most recently, Boston Scientific Corp.'s acquisition of Pfizer Inc.'s Schneider angioplasty business and Medtronic Inc.'s purchase of external defibrillator company Physio-Control International corp. seem to have been driven by sellers looking for exit strategies as much as buyers looking for new opportunities.